A cardiologist shares 1 simple change you can make to your diet to protect your heart health [Video]

If you want to live a long life, the best time to pay attention to your heart health is right now, according to a doctor.

The biggest mistake people make about heart health is waiting until it’s too late to take action, said Dr. Gregory Katz, a cardiologist at NYU Langone.

“People think it’s something that happens suddenly. Sometimes they look up and are like, ‘How the hell did I have a heart attack or stroke?’ The seeds are planted very early on,” Katz told Business Insider.

Your habits today, such as eating well and exercising, can make a big difference in protecting your heart and preventing heart disease, heart attack, and stroke later in life, he said.

While medication can help, patients sometimes put off taking drugs that could help them manage their risk in favor of trying to change their habits first.

“Taking medication is not a moral failing. That’s an important message,” Katz said.

The trick …